Dimitri, Hollywood’s Legendary Million-Dollar Maitre D’, Bids Farewell and Sails Off Into the Sunset (Tower)!

At Tower Bar, what was once old is now renewed.

Dimitri Dimitrov at home in Los Angeles, California. Photographed by Maggie Shannon

After six years presiding over Jeff Klein's upscale San Vicente Bungalows, Dimitri Dimitrov is returning to his roots this week, taking up his role as the major domo of Tower Bar, the star-studded Hollywood dining spot at Klein's Sunset Tower Hotel. It’s the same place where the iconic 75-year-old maître d' first began working two decades ago.

"Dimitri was key to making Tower Bar what it is, and guests have truly missed him," said Klein. "Our regulars will be overjoyed to have him back."

Those regulars range from Jennifer Aniston to Tom Ford to Elon Musk. (Musk, charmed by the elegant, Macedonian-born host, persuaded him to buy Tesla stock back in 2010—a wise decision that ultimately made Dimitri L.A.'s first millionaire maître d'.)

"It's obviously not about the money for me," said Dimitrov, who is stepping in for the departing Tower Bar host, Geshie Wilmot. "Returning to this historic landmark hotel at my age is just incredible!"

Coincidentally, the star-admiring septuagenarian is also set to be the focus of an upcoming documentary. This film will chronicle his 40-year career at some of L.A.'s most exclusive restaurants and follow him as he performs his duties as Hollywood's ultimate host. The project is being directed by Grant Singer, son of Hollywood lawyer Marty Singer, who became acquainted with Dimitrov as a child during family dinners at Tower Bar.

Meanwhile, Klein has been busy overseeing the launch of two San Vicente Bungalows offshoots—one in Santa Monica (set to open in November) and another in New York's West Village at the former Jane St. Hotel, scheduled to debut later this year.

Gabe Doppelt, the Bungalows' energetic membership director, will be relocating to Manhattan next month to oversee the East Coast expansion while keeping a close watch on L.A. operations.

"It's been quite a whirlwind," Klein admitted of all the changes, "but somehow, we're managing to stay on top of it all!"